Press Release Headlines

New Study Finds 1 in 4 Think Their Families Resent Them For Having Diabetes

3 in 10 think their families blame them for getting diabetes; 4 in 10 people say their families don't fully support their efforts to manage their diabetes

ARLINGTON, Va., March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Four out of every ten people with diabetes say their families don't fully support their efforts to manage their diabetes, one in four resent them for having diabetes, and three in 10 think their families blame them for getting diabetes, according to a new survey conducted by HealthEngage among its users in the United States.

The national survey, which included type 1 and 2 diabetics, was specifically designed to collect information about how people with diabetes perceive the sentiments and attitudes of their family towards them.

Additional insights include:

57% of respondents say that their families don't make sacrifices in their lives to make it easier for them to manage their diabetes.

50% of respondents believe that their families are afraid of their diagnosis.

55% believe that their families are living a healthier life as a result of their diagnosis.

30% say that their families join them in their exercise or physical activities.

25% of respondents believe their families are ashamed of their diagnosis.

Those who said their families did not fully support them did a significantly poorer job of managing their diabetes than those who said they had their family's support.

HealthEngage Research Platform

The survey is the first conducted using HealthEngage's new online research platform, which allows surveys of its 150,000+ diabetics in 176 countries to be conducted in minutes or hours instead of days or weeks. It also provides a unique real-time visualization dashboard of key metrics (including demographic data, medication usage, glucose and other test averages, food, exercise, insulins, and over 30 other data types), which can be used to dig deeper into the data and spot trends and opportunities like never before.

Family as Support Network

HealthEngage President and co-founder Michael Slage said that "with more than 1 in 12 Americans now suffering from diabetes and 6 deaths every minute a result of diabetes complications, it is more important than ever for people to feel that they have the full support of their families, which are their most important emotional support network, in their daily fight with diabetes."

Slage went on to say, "This study shows that many people with diabetes still do not feel that they get the support at home that they need. The diabetes community, both healthcare professionals and the broader industry, need to focus more resources on educating and raising awareness among the families of people with diabetes. HealthEngage has taken a holistic approach to helping users manage diabetes beyond glucose tools. It's time for diabetes efforts to also be inclusive of the families not just the person fighting the disease."

Survey Details

The study was conducted by HealthEngage in December 2012. The national sample included 3,765 adults, ages 18 to 64. An equal mix of gender and diabetes types were included.

About HealthEngage

HealthEngage is a growing community of 150,000 diabetics in 176 countries, which provides free diabetes-specific tools to its users. The tools have been statistically proven to significantly improve the management of diabetes and lower HbA1c readings in its users. Users can also earn points which can be exchanged for rewards by using the system regularly to improve their health as well as answering paid and unpaid surveys. HealthEngage performs research surveys itself and through its research partners, as well as providing real-time dashboards of trends and key metrics to the healthcare industry to provide unique feedback for improving diabetes products and treatments.